11 of the 231 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle are about the body and structure — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 58,500 miles.
11
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 25 MPH) WHEN A FRONT END COLLISION OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ACTIVATING ONLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. DRIVER'S FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11091672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, WATER SUDDENLY LEAKED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10894695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE INTERIOR SMELLS STRONGLY OF CRAYONS AND WILL NOT GO AWAY WITH SHAMPOOING, CLEANING AND/OR OTHER METHODS OF ODOR REMOVAL. THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG AND RUBS OFF ON CLOTHING AND SKIN WHILST SEATED.
NHTSA complaint #10864673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER LEAKING FROM MOONROOF. HEADLINER DAMP AND LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10465528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL ODOR THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RECEIVE HEADACHES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ODOR WAS CAUSED BY A STAIN ON THE FLOOR MATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS NOT COMING FROM THE FLOOR MATS BUT THE ENTIRE CARPET KIT. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CARPET KIT BUT THE ODOR PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10452422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CURRENTLY HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE(NOW UNDER 20000) 2002 VW NEW BEETLE PURCHASED NEW. AFTER TIME WARRANTY EXPIRED BOTH POWER WINDOW(PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES) REGULATORS FAILED (AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND MILEAGES) SPONTANEOUSLY NOT DUE TO ANY EXTERNAL EVENT.. BOTH REGULATORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL BECAUSE AUTO WINDOW REGULATORS USUALLY ARE VERY DURABLE WHEN NOT DAMAGED BY EXTERNAL CRASH OR THE LIKE. I REPORTED THIS TO VOLKSWAGEN BUT GOT NO SATISFACTION. ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR DISMAY AND WITHOUT SATISFACTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS!
NHTSA complaint #10449083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 VW BEETLE FOR OUR DAUGHTER. IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT CRAYONS AND GIVES HER A SERIOUS HEADACHE. ONLINE THERE A NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT COMES FROM SOMETHING SPRAYED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THAT SMELLS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS HEATED UP. YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. WHAT SHOULD WE DO. THE ODOR WAS COVERED UP DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT HAS NOW BECOME UNBEARABLE. WHAT AVENUES SHOULD WE PURSUE. LEMON LAW, RECALL, ...WHAT SHOULD WE DO...OR MORE APTLY WHAT AREN'T YOU DOING? I WANT A SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10406904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR COLLISION ACCIDENT IN 2004, NOW SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM NOT WORKING, STRUTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS DAMAGED AND NEED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH SUBFRAME AND EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10249359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT : THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE INGITION. HAD TO WAIT UP TO 10 MINUTES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. ONCE IT STARTED IT STAYED LOCKED/PARKED. IT WAS INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED THE DEALE, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT T REPLACE PARTS UNTIL THEY DUPLICATE. THIS STARTED ON MAY 15, 2005. ALSO THE TRUNK RELEASE WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE BUTTON THAT USED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10131532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONSUMER STATED HE HAS LEARNED THAT THE REAR SPOILER WILL DEPLOY WHEN DRIVING 45-50 MPH, CONSUMER STATED ON THE 2001 MODEL IN ORDER FOR THE REAR SPOILER TO DEPLOY, THE VEHICLE MUST BE DRIVEN AT A RATE OF 80 MPH, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS FEATURE WAS MISREPRESENTED AND WANTS TO RETURN THE VEHICLE OR HAVE THIS FEATURE DISENGAGED SINCE THE SPOILER IS DESIGNED TO DEPLOY AT SUCH A LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #564412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CONSUMER STATED HE HAS LEARNED THAT THE REAR SPOILER WILL DEPLOY WHEN DRIVING 45-50 MPH, CONSUMER STATED ON THE 2001 MODEL IN ORDER FOR THE REAR SPOILER TO DEPLOY, THE VEHICLE MUST BE DRIVEN AT A RATE OF 80 MPH, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS FEATURE WAS MISREPRESENTED AND WANTS TO RETURN THE VEHICLE OR HAVE THIS FEATURE DISENGAGED SINCE THE SPOILER IS DESIGNED TO DEPLOY AT SUCH A LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #564412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.